Aistriúchán , más é do thoil é


"a ghabháil le himeacht"


from the context it might be “to elope” or “take control of the proceeding(s)”

Do you have the full sentence?

a Shuaimhneas, go raibh maith agat!


the sentence is:

"Is bíodh is gur gráin léi an pósadh, ní thugann eiteach, ná ní fhéadann leor a ghabháil le himeacht."


I’m reading An Odaisé in Munster Irish. (aistritheoir: Monsignor Pádraig de Brún)

This passage passage is the young Telemachus describing his mother fending off unwanted suitors. Some english translations contain the line "bring an end to the proceedings."

At least one says she is "unable to choose amongst the suitors."

I thought the Irish "ghabháil" might be being used in the same way as a the English "gavel." At least they seem to have the same etymology.

A Sheamais, a chara

I'm sure some of our more fluent posters may have a more expert view, but I think it might be more likely to be about her ability to take control

My (inexpert) take on the sentence would be something like:

(although) she hated (the idea of) marriage, she did not (could not) refuse, nor was capabale enough to control events

Does this make sense in the wider context of the piece?

I'd be very interested in seeing the views of others

Seo leid díbh:
Is nath é "leor a ghabháil".

A Fhirn

Go raibh maith agat. Caithfidh mé leor a ghabháil leis an leid thuas.

Mar sin

ní fhéadann leor a ghabháil le himeacht

could not be content to depart

An bfhuil an ceart agam anois?

Fearn, thanks for your input.

Here is a bunch of public domain translations as bearla from the "Homer's Odyssey resources on the Web" site.

I had not been able to find a reference that would allow me to reconcile the Irish version with these English versions with confidence.

Suaimhneas, your original version confirms the way I was leaning towards interpreting it, so I think that I got the sense of it. I appreciate your help.


1. "She cannot refuse what would be an odious marriage

As she cannot fittingly make an end of this matter"

2. "And she neither refuses the hateful marriage, [250] nor is she able to make an end"

3. "my mother, who will neither point blank say that she will not marry, nor yet bring matters to an end"

4. "But as for her she neither refuseth the hated bridal, nor hath the heart to make an end"

5. "And she her hateful nuptials nor denies,
Nor will dispatch their importunities,"

Hi Fearn,

I get your hint now. Go raibh maith agat! that was helpful. Maybe de Brún was translating the Greek a little loosely. He usually seems more literal. I never considered that Penelope would have to leave with the successful suitor.

Perhaps it is a double entendre and both translations work? That ambiguity is the problem with translating poetry!